Mowing Practices to Benefit Ground-Nesting Birds

 On May 28, 2025 I heard the distinctive sounds of a tractor in the 80 grass pasture located just to the east of our property here in Feura Bush. I was dismayed to see that the landowner who allows farmers from somewhere in our area to mow and harvest grass for cattle feed (I assume) was out in the field mowing down the grass. This, in my opinion was WAY to early in the season to be harvesting grass, particularly since we have been swamped in recent weeks by never ending rain. Not to mention there are numerous species of ground nesting birds that use the field for nesting. Interestingly just this morning I received an email/newsletter from the NY Department of Environmental Conservation that included the informational piece that I have copied and pasted below. Good reading if you care about ground nesting bird conservation and conservation landscape management practices. 

While grasses are getting greener and flowers are blooming, New Yorkers are beginning to think about their spring-cleaning to-do list. High on many people’s priorities is pulling out their mower and beginning the summer-long cycle of mowing their fields or larger lawns. However, the timing of mowing can have significant impacts on a variety of bird species. Small grassland songbirds nest on, or close to, the ground in grassy and shrubby fields. Mowing and bushhogging during the spring and early summer can destroy nests and remove the habitat required to successfully raise their young.  

In New York, the time where ground-nesting birds can be critically impacted by mowing runs from April 23 - August 15. Some recommendations by DEC:

• Delay mowing fields greater than 25 acres until after August 15 to help these species nest successfully.
• Mow as soon as possible after August 15 can help reduce the spread of invasive plants before their seeds spread.
• Also note that mowing later than October 1 can interfere with overwintering birds in fields.

While these larger fields are particularly important for grassland songbirds, even smaller grassy and shrubby openings can contain songbird and wild turkey nests. Landowners should carefully consider when and where they focus their mowing efforts during the spring and summer.  

Although saving mowing until late August means that the spring-cleaning to-do list remains unchecked well into summer, these best management practices can have great benefits for some of our most vulnerable bird species. Across the state, grassland birds have been declining for decades and the timing of mowing can make a huge difference. Save mowing for the end of the summer and enjoy the sight of turkey poults looking for bugs in your fields and hearing the songs of grassland birds floating on the morning air. 

Have a small lawn not suited to grassland nesting birds? Check out these tips to help pollinators or backyard birds.